Legislator Kara Hahn today welcomed Rabbi Joseph S. Topek, Director of the Hillel Foundation for Jewish Life at Stony Brook University to the Suffolk County Legislature to offer the customary invocation delivered at the beginning of each general session of the governing body. In addition to his work with the Hillel Foundation, Rabbi Topek is also the Jewish Chaplain for the University Interfaith Center, on the chaplaincy staff of the Department of Pastoral Services at the Long Island State Veterans Home and is an instructor of Judaic Studies and American Jewish History at the University.
Rabbi Topek joined the Stony Brook University community 38 years ago and at the end of this month will conclude his career as Director of the Hillel Foundation of Stony Brook leaving behind a legacy of enriching lives, not only on the Stony Brook campus, but all of Long Island – and beyond.
Prior to joining Stony Brook University, Rabbi Topek served with Temple Emunah in Lexington, MA, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Boston, and directed the Hillel Foundation at Virginia Commonwealth University. He holds a BA in Humanities and Judaic Studies from the University of Texas at Austin, an MA in Contemporary Jewish Studies from Brandeis University and Rabbinic Ordination from the Academy for Jewish Religion.
